SPT’s Viasat Hungary Deal Cleared

LONDON/BUDAPEST: Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has received regulatory approval from the Hungarian Competition Authority for its acquisition of the VIASAT3 and VIASAT6 channels and Viasat Play VOD service from Modern Times Group.

Once the deal is finalized, SPT will fully own and operate the two channels and VOD service, expanding the current portfolio of SPT brands in Hungary, which already includes the AXN, AXN White and AXN Black linear channels, as well as two digital services: AXN NOW and AXN Player. With the addition of the VIASAT channels, SPT Networks will have a 6.3 percent audience share of the commercially important 18-to-49 demo in Hungary, making it the second biggest cable/satellite portfolio in the country.

Lyle Stewart, the senior VP of SPT Networks for CEEMA, said: "This acquisition is a cornerstone to increasing our foothold in the Central European market, and will provide countless benefits to our business partners and viewers. We are focused on further growing our business over the coming months, building on the considerable success our channels and digital services have already had.”

John Rossiter, the general manager for SPT Networks for Central Europe, added: “We warmly welcome the Viasat channels under our roof—they deliver high-quality programming and make a great addition to our existing portfolio, allowing us to establish multiple strong brands in the market. This acquisition makes us the second biggest cable/satellite channel portfolio in the country in terms of audience share and is a milestone in our plans to boost SPT’s position in Central Europe.”